Somewhere inside of me, a primal instinct, the simple desire to live at all costs, commanded me to take action. Yet, like a mouse who had escaped the claws and teeth of a predator, fear still ruled my heart and threatened to reduce me to a gibbering mess.
With a great effort of will, I stamped down on this mind-killing fear. Desperately, I searched my mind for a way out of this dire situation, a way to save my companions and me. Surely this was not where my journey would end? My health was rapidly dropping, and I felt a constriction about my heart. Was it possible that their blades were poisoned?
The thought lingered even as my lifeblood continued to pour out from my throat with every weakening pulse. Certainly, with my current Mana, I could cast Heal and save myself, but I would not have enough energy to save Kidu and Elwin. It would be a repeat of Durhit all over again. Without a word, I took a chance and cast one of my new spells, hoping that my choice was the correct one.
Golden energies ever so slowly began to pulse from me, an echo of angel’s song ringing softly in my ear like a celestial lullaby. The glow spread over me, slowly closing the wound at my throat and repairing the damage done by the vile substances that had ravaged my body. The poisons remained within me, but their vicious bile had been blunted. My health fluctuated in small ticks as the damage they were doing was mitigated by the slow healing.
The aura spell's energy left me feeling both warm and chilled in equal measure before it flowed over to my companions, soothing them as well. I could only pray that it would be enough. A notification appeared, telling me that I had gained a point in Luck, but I dismissed it rapidly from my mind.
Staying on the ground, in fear of the group's return, I waited for my shaking limbs to still themselves and hoped that the elves would not notice the glow and return to finish us off. I forced myself into a state of calm, to check my Status. The attempt on my life had reduced my Health to around half, and my back-to-back use of magic had put my Mana down to six points.
On shaky legs, like a newborn foal, I slowly got up and hobbled to check on my companions. Kidu stirred his enormous bulk, and I felt great relief that my magic had worked in saving his life. Elwin looked to be in worse shape, his breathing shallow and his face pale. Using most of my remaining Mana, I cast Heal on him, which slowly brought the color back to his face.
Realizing that we had made it past the worst, I stopped channeling my aura spell and said, "Kidu, we must move. Those elves may return, and they have the advantage over us."
Within me, adrenaline was fighting a losing war with exhaustion. Kidu took several deep breaths, like a bull preparing to charge, before he moved with great effort to help me with Elwin, who had just begun to stir.
A mixture of disbelief, gratefulness, and awe dogged my companions' steps as we half-ran, half-shuffled towards a dip in the grassland where we could lay low and hoped that it was enough cover from prying elven eyes or ears. Every now and then, Elwin would look at his hands and whisper thanks and a prayer to some sort of "Dark Lady." Kidu would mutter to tell him to stay quiet, while also secretly shooting me a look filled with wonder.
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We settled down on the soft grass. I felt haggard and demoralized from the clear difference in the strength we had witnessed from the elves. We were like children before them.
Now in a relative place of safety, Kidu volunteered to take watch over Elwin to give him time to recover from his brush with death. I hunkered down next to them, shivering - more from fear than from the cooling twilight air.
Hours passed, and I heard the hoot of a night owl somewhere in the distance. The peak of danger now had hopefully passed, and my thoughts turned to survival. If we were going to get through this, we needed the supplies in our bags. They represented all our worldly wealth, the wealth we would need to travel to more gentle climes. I needed to get my things back, but the brush with death had unmanned me.
Kidu was keeping watch, but even in the dying light, I could tell that he had lost some of his usual confidence and energy from the slump of his shoulders and the cast of his eyes. After putting him through so much, I almost felt guilty that I would be asking more of him.
“Kidu,” I whispered, “we need to see if they have left anything behind. We need those things,” the Hunter looked at me for direction, “Perhaps enough time has passed, and you are by far a better…”
“Yes, I see. I will go to see if those old ones have left and recover our things. You must stay with Elwin of Tucker. He may be needing further healing. Also, you make more noise than a rutting boar when you move, hah!” he added, some of his usual verve and confidence returning as he stood to his full and impressive height.
Glad that I was able to save face, I nodded to him in thanks. In my current state, I could barely keep myself together let alone venture out in the growing dark on a mission to recover our things.
“Be safe, Kidu,” I begged of him as he left.
“Fear not! They will not find me such easy prey this time!” he growled before leaving me alone with Elwin.
My mind was filled with narcissistic fantasies of vengeance against the elves as I sat down on the dry grass next to the comatose Elwin. Every minute alone left me feeling weak and vulnerable. I touched my neck and recoiled at the memory of the blade slashing my throat. The remembrance put paid to my remaining thoughts of vengeance.
I did not know how much time had passed, but suddenly, there was a hand on my shoulder that made me almost jump out of my skin.
“Be well, Gilgamesh!” a familiar voice said from behind me.
“Kidu, thank heavens you have returned,” I said, turning around.
Weighed down by the weight of our bags on his massive frame, the Hunter had returned with our belongings. His appearance brought a glimmer of joy to my countenance, and I exhaled all my tension in sweet release.
“Yes, the old ones did not touch a thing. They are not worthy of respect, those who kill only for sport,” he hissed angrily, dropping our bags down by his feet.
I helped in unrolling the stolen bedrolls. It was the least I could do. Between us, we maneuvered the unconscious form of Elwin into his bedding. He mumbled something about dice in his sleep, which gave me some measure of reassurance. If he could still talk, then there was hope that no enduring harm had been inflicted upon him.
Sick and tired of this stupid world, I curled up into a ball. It took a long time for the dreams to find me.